Comments on: The Auto Industry Bailout http://www.nathanjohns.net/2008/12/12/the-auto-industry-bailout/ A point of view from the Silicon Valley Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:46:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Aaron Abitia http://www.nathanjohns.net/2008/12/12/the-auto-industry-bailout/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Aaron Abitia Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:48:00 +0000 http://www.nathanjohns.net/?p=93#comment-74 Yeah, I don't think wages will ever get cut, not in the current Union climate; instead, GM will just lay off workers. But I just wanted to point out that disparity...that UAW GM workers make 2x the salary, but the end product is one that no one wants to buy...which probably isn't the fault of the workers on the assembly line. Yeah, I don’t think wages will ever get cut, not in the current Union climate; instead, GM will just lay off workers. But I just wanted to point out that disparity…that UAW GM workers make 2x the salary, but the end product is one that no one wants to buy…which probably isn’t the fault of the workers on the assembly line.

]]> By: Nathan Johns http://www.nathanjohns.net/2008/12/12/the-auto-industry-bailout/comment-page-1/#comment-73 Nathan Johns Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:23:00 +0000 http://www.nathanjohns.net/?p=93#comment-73 Andy, yes; good point. Aaron, true; but how do we cut wages? The current auto workforce won't even consider it. Hire new workers? Andy, yes; good point. Aaron, true; but how do we cut wages? The current auto workforce won’t even consider it. Hire new workers?

]]> By: Aaron Abitia http://www.nathanjohns.net/2008/12/12/the-auto-industry-bailout/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Aaron Abitia Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:07:00 +0000 http://www.nathanjohns.net/?p=93#comment-72 Also Nate, American GM workers in American GM plants make >$70 per hr. American Toyota workers in Toyota's American plant make approx $35 per hr, yet the product is better. The UAW has got GM by the scruff of the neck, so to compensate for that overhead, GM has to strip down the quality and design of their cars, and then put out crappy products. People hate it when you point out Unions, but that wage disparity is completely insane. I watched a lot of the press conferences during the bailout, and the Union rep was front and center, refusing to even GUESS at a timetable for when GM could start to be competitive with Japanese companies and German companies. That refusal is what caused the bailout talks to break down, not that the bailout should happen anyway. Also Nate, American GM workers in American GM plants make >$70 per hr. American Toyota workers in Toyota's American plant make approx $35 per hr, yet the product is better. The UAW has got GM by the scruff of the neck, so to compensate for that overhead, GM has to strip down the quality and design of their cars, and then put out crappy products. People hate it when you point out Unions, but that wage disparity is completely insane. I watched a lot of the press conferences during the bailout, and the Union rep was front and center, refusing to even GUESS at a timetable for when GM could start to be competitive with Japanese companies and German companies. That refusal is what caused the bailout talks to break down, not that the bailout should happen anyway.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.nathanjohns.net/2008/12/12/the-auto-industry-bailout/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Andrew Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:21:00 +0000 http://www.nathanjohns.net/?p=93#comment-71 Another point - why is it that average EPA on GM vehicles has DECLINED since the 80's? Did they really think it was smart to make cars that are less fuel efficient as gas prices, the cost of living, and several other economic factors have ballooned? They chose to make Hummers while Americans have turned to more economical vehicles. No handouts to bad business plans. <br/><br/>Holla! Another point – why is it that average EPA on GM vehicles has DECLINED since the 80’s? Did they really think it was smart to make cars that are less fuel efficient as gas prices, the cost of living, and several other economic factors have ballooned? They chose to make Hummers while Americans have turned to more economical vehicles. No handouts to bad business plans.

Holla!

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